Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
8/10/99
Contacts:
Shirley Stakey, 4-H Youth Development, (515) 262-3111, ext.
380
Denise Schwab, 4-H Youth Development (515) 262-3111, ext.
387
Melva L. Berkland, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-2164
4-H Brings Learning Experiences to the State Fair
Fairgoers can see a showcase of 4-H exhibits at the Iowa State Fair Aug. 12-22. In addition to the 3,500 exhibits in the 4-H Exhibits Building, there are 886 entries in the communication program and more than 5,000 livestock entries. Also, fairgoers can take part in many 4-H hands-on learning exhibits and special events that happen throughout the fair.
4-H'ers Talk It Up
This year, more than 1,900 4-H'ers will participate in
the communication division. Youth participate in four
categories. The 360 educational presentations are designed
to teach the fair goer about a topic. In the 226 working
exhibits, observers can participate in the exhibit while
they learn. Share-the-Fun has 241 entries and participants
will perform in musical numbers, humorous skits or
monologues. Extemporaneous speeches will be given by 59
4-H'ers.
Alternative Evaluation
4-H'ers participating with agriculture and natural
resources, food and nutrition, home improvement and tractor
restoration exhibits at the Iowa State Fair will be able to
have expanded educational opportunities. Youth participating
in these projects can learn from specialists in their
project areas, attend mini-workshops and share ideas with
their peers.
Growing in the Garden
Children can visit the salsa and herb garden and the
butterfly garden near the Agriculture Building or play the
salsa game at the 4-H Exhibits Building. The activities are
part of the Growing in the Garden curriculum, an agriculture
and natural resources curriculum for grades K &endash;3
designed by ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development staff,
teachers, horticulture experts and gardeners.
More Learning
Other programs and activities will take place from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. in the 4-H Exhibits Building during the fair.
"Volts and Jolts" will have hands-on activities with lights,
electric motors and insulators and conductors to introduce
participants to electricity on Aug. 12. "Shake, Wiggle and
Sink" will take place Aug. 14 to teach about earthquakes,
building a boat and tangrams. On Aug. 15 participants can
learn to build an AlkaSeltzer rocket or paper airplanes and
gliders at "Magnificent Flying Machines."
4-H Bean Bear
Clarion, a limited-edition 4-H bean bear, will be on
sale to the public at 9 a.m. on Aug. 12 in the 4-H Exhibits
Building. The bear is named for the town of Clarion, the
official birthplace of the national 4-H emblem. Only 1,000
bears will be available for $10 each, and the money raised
will go to the Iowa 4-H Foundation to benefit the ISU
Extension 4-H Youth Development program.
Herb Plambeck Book Signing
Herb Plambeck, writer and farm broadcaster, will be
signing two of his books in the 4-H Exhibits Building on
Aug. 16, 18 and 20 from 3-4 p.m. "The Way It Was" and "Never
A Dull Moment" will be sold for $20 each or $30 a set.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.